Lip and mouth adjuster



Jan. 29, 1957 EATON 2,779,083

LIP AND MOUTH ADJUSTER Filed Feb. 9, 1955 FIG.].

FIG 2 l0 la l6 l4 im FIG 3. I0

/4 l6 l8 INVENTORK l2. .E'z/warfflla Z0 12 ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent LIP AND MOUTH ADJUSTER Edward N. Eaton, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Application February 9, 1955, Serial No. 487,157

6 Claims. (CI. 2721) This invention relates to devices adapted for useby embalmers and undertakers for holding the jaws and mouth of a corpseclosed, and also for holding the lips closed and in natural position.More specifically, the invention relates to an improved device of thisnature which may be readily and quickly applied without the aid ofspecial tools, and which is of minimum complexity and bulk.

Similar devices are known and commonly used, but are subject tolimitations such as difliculty of application, undue size and rigidity,and inherent causation of unnecessary perforations and lacerations,which tend to result in discoloration and leakage of embalming fluid.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improvedlip and mouth adjusting device of simplified construction, easilyapplied and adapted to hold the jaws and lips of a corpse in proper andnatural appearing relationship.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lip and mouth closingappliance of small size, invisible in use, and flexible enough toconform to mouth and tooth configuration, so as to obviate unsightly andunnatural bulges or other distortions.

Still another object is to provide a device of the character describedadapted to function with minimum penetration of jaw and lip tissue.

Another object is to provide a lip and mouth adjuster readilymanufactured from corrosion resistant wire, inexpensive, and of suitabledurability for handling, application and use. Further objects will be inpart evident and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention and the novel features thereof may best be made clear fromthe following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the device of the invention, illustrating itsoperative relationship to the jaws and lips of a corpse;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device on enlarged scale, and

Figure 3 is an inverted perspective view of the device.

Referring to the drawings in detail, an exemplary embodiment of theinvention comprises a continuous length of wire or the like formedgenerally into U-shape, comprising a straight and longitudinallyextending body portion and an end portion 12 at each end thereof, theend portions being correspondingly turned into substantial parallelism,each being disposed preferably at right angles with respect to the bodyportion. The outer end 14 of each end portion 12 is pointed, andadjacent thereto the end portions are provided with barbs 16, which aredisposed on the inner sides of the end portions and point rearwardlytoward the body portion 10.

From body portion 10 extends a pair of oppositely directed prongs 18.The prongs are equally spaced from the center of the body portion, andextend from the body portion in direction generally opposite to that ofthe end portions 12. That is, the prongs 18 and end portions 12 lie in acommon plane, although on opposite sides of the body portion 10. Theprongs 18 are inclined with respect to the axis of the body portion,each by an angle of substantially 30, and are pointed toward each other.The barbs 16 and prongs 18 may be separately constructed and suitablyattached to the device by welding or brazing, but preferably are formedinte rally with the end portions and body portion by a suitable stampingor comparable metal forming operation. As will be evident, the entiredevice may be readily formed on a mass production basis from continuouslengths of wire. A 20 gauge high grade nickel alloy wire is entirelysuitable, and preferred because it inherently possesses the requisiteflexibility. Additionally, the nickel wire is adequately corrosionresistant, and will not cause discoloration or weaken in use.

Function and utilization of the device will now be described. Incompleted form, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the device may beprovided in various sizes, ranging in over-all length from one to twoinches. The turned end portions may be, for example, inch long, and theraised or struck up portions of the barbs 16 relatively short, inchbeing adequate. To use the device, the pointed end 14 of one end portion12 may be positioned in contact with the fleshy area 20 inside the upperlip 22 and above the upper teeth 24, and that end of the device thenpushed into place. The pointed end portion will enter easily, fingerpressure usually being adequate, and the barb will serve to anchor itsecurely in place. Next, the lower jaw may be closed, and the oppositeend portion of the device then forced in similar manner into the fleshyarea 26 inside the lower lip 23 and below the lower teeth 36, asillustrated in Figure l. The body portion 10 of the device having someflexibility, it may thereupon be bent or shaped to conform to the shapeand contour of the gums and teeth (or false teeth) of the corpse, so asto follow them closely and not protrude therefrom.

Finally, the upper lip 22 may be pulled to normal, natural appearingposition and hooked in place onto the upper prong 18, and the lower lip28 similarly positioned and secured in place by the lower prong 15. Insuch simple manner the jaws of the corpse may be securely andpermanently closed, and the lips arranged and retained in life-likerelationship. Application of the device is quick and sure, and requiresno special tool or experience. The device itself being small and thin,no unsightly bulges or protuberances are caused thereby, and the minimumpenetration of the jaw and lip tissues by the pointed ends and prongsminimizes the possibility of leakage or drainage of embalming fluid intothe oral cavity. Usually, one device will be entirely adequate, althoughtwo devices may be employed if desired, one on each side of the jaw.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided by this invention astructure in which the various objects hereinbefore set forth, togetherwith many practical advantages, are successfully achieved. As variouspossible embodiments may be made of the mechanical features of the aboveinvention, all without departing from the scope thereof, it is to beunderstood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in alimiting sense.

I claim:

1. A unitary device for clamping the jaws and lips of a corpsecomprising a continuous length of corrosion resistant wire having alongitudinally extending body portion and similarly directed parallelturned end portions, a barb for engaging the flesh of the upper andlower jaw members at the outer end of each of said end portions, and apair of oppositely directed prongs extending from said body portion onthe side thereof opposite said end portions.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said prongs are formedintegrally with said body portion, and are inclined toward each other toengage the lips and hold them in closed position.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said prongs are inclined withrespect to the axis of said body portion by substantially 30.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said end portions are turnedwith respect to said body portion by substantially 90.

5. A unitary device for clamping the jaws and lips of a corpsecomprising a continuous length of flexible, corrosion resistant Wirehaving a longitudinally extending body portion and similarly directedparallel end portions turned with respect to said body portion bysubstantially 90, a pointed barb for engaging the flesh of the upper andlower jaw members integral with and at the outer end of each of said endportions, and a pair of integral prongs extending from said body portionon the side thereof opposite said end portions, said prongs beinginclined toward each other and inclined with respect to the axis of saidbody portion by substantially 30.

6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said barbs extend from theinner sides of said end portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,870,566 Heitritter Aug. 9, 932 2,172,252 Moore ept. 5, 1939 2,283,814La Place Mav 19, 1.942

